Haas VF-26: American-owned F1 team becomes first team to reveal new 2026 car and updated livery | F1 News
Haas were the first team to reveal images of their 2026 car as they unveiled the VF-26 for the new F1 rules era.
After the launch of the livery of Red Bull and Racing Bulls last week, whose 2026 look was revealed in the show cars, Haas started the week in which several teams are set to give a first impression of their real rivals by revealing images online.
Britain’s Oliver Bearman, 20, and experienced Frenchman Esteban Ocon make up the team’s driver line-up for the second season in a row, as the sport prepares for the introduction of a major rule change that includes new power units and chassis.
The first images of the VF-26 give an insight into how the small and light F1 cars of 2026 will look, with front and rear wings that are very different from the previous generation which contribute to downsizing and less drag.
The team’s new livery for 2026 has also been shared, with the black carbon areas of last year’s car replaced by large white areas and additional red accents. This program also refers to the new sponsors of this year’s team, Toyota Gazoo Racing.
Komatsu: It was a great effort
Haas finished eighth in last year’s Constructors’ Championship but enters 2026 with some momentum having collected the second-highest points in its 10-season history.
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu said: “It feels like the launch of a new car at the start of the year but it’s not that exciting going into a new F1 campaign – especially with such a change in regulations.”
There are three separate test events for teams to fine-tune their cars ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 8, the first of which takes place in Barcelona from January 26-30 before two more follow in Bahrain in February.
“We are fully focused on preparing for Shakedown Week in Barcelona,” added Komatsu. “It’s been a huge effort for everyone in the team to work through such a difficult transition period from the end of last season to putting the cars on the road in January.
“It’s clear that after so many discussions, we can’t wait to see how these cars will perform and what we will face as we move forward with our test plans before Australia.
“Track time will be important in Spain and Bahrain and although we know there will be challenges along the way, we are doing this because we love Formula 1.”
‘I’ve upped my game’ – Bearman happy to move on
Britain’s Bearman produced an impressive rookie campaign, putting together an impressive second half of the year that included five consecutive points finishes and a career-best fourth place in Mexico.
That performance, which saw him comfortably overtake the experienced and tough Ocon, has fueled speculation about Bearman’s potential as a future Ferrari driver, with the Italian team loaning Haas after signing him from their academy.
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Oliver Bearman discusses his desire to one day be in the Ferrari seat, but admits he is ‘just getting started’ with Haas.
Bearman said: “It was a year where I learned a lot, not only about myself as a person, or as an athlete, but also about Formula 1.
“I’ve grown my knowledge endlessly, because I’ve been put through experiences that you can’t learn before going through it. I’ve improved a lot in all those areas and I’m really happy with how the season went, especially the second half.
“I really stepped up my game, I felt like in the second half of the season, I started putting down results that I was happy with, and that was critical for me. I’m very happy to continue that this year.”
The Essex-born driver believes the experience he gained from racing in F1 on multiple tracks for the first time during his rookie campaign will enable him to be even more competitive in 2026.
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Oliver Bearman tells Martin Brundle he’ll be ‘ready’ for a Ferrari seat if it’s available.
“I am very happy to return to all these regions, as I have already experienced the race weekend,” he added. “Now I understand how the track changes during the weekend, how the tires work, and what changes may have hindered me last year. Many times, last year, I went to new circuits where my competition was many times.
“Yes, I will now go to circuits that I have driven only once, and where my competition has gone 10 or 11 times, but I feel that I have the experience of one race weekend somewhere, and the knowledge base that I have built up from a full season of F1 will put me in a better position.”
When is F1 pre-season testing?
The introduction of the new rules means there is a tight schedule of three separate test events before the start of the 2026 season.
The first is a closed event in Barcelona from January 26-30, before two tests follow in Bahrain from February 11-13 and 18-20.
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Formula 1 outlines new rule changes for 2026, including what will replace DRS, in the system to allow close races next year. video views to predict F1.
When is the first F1 race?
The teams then have two weeks to prepare for the opening round of the season, which is the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne from March 6-8.
The first practice sessions of the season will take place on Friday 6 March, with Qualifying on Saturday 7 March and the opening race on Sunday 8 March.
Watch all 24 race weekends of the 2026 Formula 1 season live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports NOW – No contract, cancel anytime
